MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / July 11, 2013) – Migrante has called on Taiwan to spare Filipino workers over its unresolved diplomatic row with the Philippines.
Migrante criticized Taiwan’s move to freeze all labor contracts from the Philippines following the killing of a Taiwanese poacher by the Philippine Coast Guard in May. The group lambasted both the Philippine and Taiwan governments for the unresolved row.
“We could not understand why the Taiwan government resorted to freezing the hiring of our fellow OFWs in Taiwan as a precondition. Taiwan is holding hostage our OFWs as leverage for its unresolved row with the Philippine government,” said Migrante Vice-Chairman John Leonard Monterona.
He said Manila has its own share, saying the government also failed to immediately resolve the disputes with Taiwan.
Andrew Lin, a political affairs officer of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Affairs Office, said they are ready to release the results of their own investigation, though he admitted that they are just waiting for the government to announce the recommendation of the National Bureau of Investigation.
Monterona said Taiwan’s action affected over 16,000 OFWs. “It is uncalled for and unfair, and a direct attack on OFWs rights to earn a living free from harassment and other forms of exploitation as guaranteed by the United National Convention on the Protection of Migrants.
“President Benigno Aquino should ensure that the rights and welfare of the OFWs are guaranteed and protected in every country where they are working,” he said.
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